The day Democrats ruled Ocean County

Travel back in time with Erik Larsen of the Asbury Park Press for a visit to Ocean County in the 1930s, when political boss Thomas A. Mathis ruled not from an iron throne, but with an iron first.
Erik Larsen

Buy Photo

Dover Township Committeeman Paul C. Brush and Brick lawyer Mark A. Troncone talk with campaign supporters on the night of Nov. 7, 1989, after becoming the first and last Democrats to win seats on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders since the 1970s.(Photo: Steve Schofield, Asbury Park Press)Buy Photo

Nov. 7, 1989 was the best day Ocean County Democrats have had in the past 28 years.

On that date, Democratic candidates for municipal, county and legislative offices "roared through their most successful election since the 1970s," the Asbury Park Press reported the next morning.

The party picked up two seats on the Board of Freeholders, won a state Senate and two Assembly seats in the 10th Legislative District, picked up majorities on the township committees in Jackson and Little Egg Harbor, two seats on the governing bodies in Lacey, Manchester and Lakehurst, and one seat each in Toms River, Point Pleasant, Beachwood, Seaside Park and Waretown.

It was an extraordinary victory in a county that has been as steadfastly Republican since the Civil War as Hudson County is Democratic.

Watch the video above to see what Ocean County politics was like in the 1930s

Much of the success of Democrats on Election Day 1989 was attributed to the popularity of Jim Florio's campaign for governor that year.

"For Ocean County Republicans, the 1989 general election became a matter of damage control, a time to batten down the political hatches and hope that when Hurricane Florio was over, the GOP would still be in control of county and local govering bodies. Hurricane Florio won," the Press reported on Nov. 8, 1989.

The most painful loss had been where this newspaper noted that the GOP had maintained an "iron grip" — the five-member, all-Republican freeholder board. Not since the dark days of Watergate, when voters punished Republican officeholders everywhere for the sins of Richard Nixon, had the GOP lost a seat on the county's governing body.

"(Incumbent) Freeholders H. George Buckwald and Damian G. Muray were expected to easily defeat their Democratic opponents, Dover Township Committeeman Paul C. Brush and (Brick Township lawyer) Mark A. Troncone. It was an upset neither party expected and leads to the speculation that Florio had long coattails," read the article.

However, Florio alone was not the only variable in that year's election.

Southern Ocean County voters were incensed over the freeholder board's plans at the time to construct a mass-burn garbage incinerator in Waretown. Local residents had dubbed the folly, "Bucky's Burner," after Freeholder Buckwald — who had championed the project.

Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who has served on the board since 1980 and voted against the incinerator in a rare display of internal Republican disagreement, recalls that before the election, Buckwald had assured him that most of their votes came from the more heavily populated towns north of the Toms River anyway.

"Whenever one party is in control too long, all too often the public officials lose touch and all they do, they believe, must be right because they keep getting re-elected," said Freeholder-elect Brush on election night.

"Bucky's Burner" died on Nov. 7, 1989 and the board has never taken for granted the votes of anyone in Ocean County ever since, Bartlett observed.

Three years later in 1992, the board reverted back to all-Republican with the election of James F. Lacey and Jack Kelly, who vanquished the Democratic incumbents.

As of the publication of this column, no Republican seeking countywide office in Ocean has been defeated since the Florio landslide of '89.

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

Anthony Arena celebrates with his team mates after putting in one of this five goals in the game. Holmdel Boys Soccer easily defeats Ocean in SCT Conference Final in Ocean Township on October 26, 2017. Peter Ackerman

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,208 acre site that include woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. Peter Ackerman

Holmdel’s Anthony Arena puts in one of his five goal as Ocean goalie Max Winters tries to react to his shot. Holmdel Boys Soccer easily defeats Ocean in SCT Conference Final in Ocean Township on October 26, 2017. Peter Ackerman

Toms River South’s Logan Jaramillo blocks a kick to set up his team’s third touchdown. Toms River North football vs Toms River South football in Red Zone Game of the Week in Toms River NJ on October 27, 2017. Peter Ackerman

Veda Eleanor Cutshall is baptized as part of servcices. Sandy memorial Mass at the rebuilt St. Elisabeth's Chapel in Ortley Beach, which was supposed to be followed by a ceremony on the beach at the site where Sandy did some of the worst damage on the Shore. The beach ceremony was cancelled due to the nor'easter that hit on the Fifth Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. Short speeches were done after the service in the church instead. Some parishioner came in Halloween costume because of the upcoming holiday. Peter Ackerman

Firemen ring the church bell at the conclusion of the service. Sandy memorial Mass at the rebuilt St. Elisabeth's Chapel in Ortley Beach, which was supposed to be followed by a ceremony on the beach at the site where Sandy did some of the worst damage on the Shore. The beach ceremony was cancelled due to the nor'easter that hit on the Fifth Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. Short speeches were done after the service in the church instead. Some parishioner came in Halloween costume because of the upcoming holiday. Peter Ackerman

Sandy memorial Mass at the rebuilt St. Elisabeth's Chapel in Ortley Beach, which was supposed to be followed by a ceremony on the beach at the site where Sandy did some of the worst damage on the Shore. The beach ceremony was cancelled due to the nor'easter that hit on the Fifth Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. Short speeches were done after the service in the church instead. Some parishioner came in Halloween costume because of the upcoming holiday. Peter Ackerman

Holmdel’s Anthony Arena puts in one of his five goals as Ocean goalie Max Winters lays on ground. Holmdel Boys Soccer easily defeats Ocean in SCT Conference Final in Ocean Township on October 26, 2017. Peter Ackerman

Superstorm Sandy survivors and others attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the largest number of sand angels, nicknamed Sandy Angels, on the beach in Seaside Park. The event is a commemoration of the fifth anniversary of superstorm Sandy as well as a fundraiser for two groups that are still assisting many Sandy victims 5 years later: the Ocean County Long-Term Recovery Group and the Salvation Army's Emergency Services.
Seaside Park, NJ
Saturday, October 28, 2017
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Maria DeBruin, an AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School, is congratulated by students after being awarded the Milken Educator Award during a surprise assembly at Brick Township Memorial High School in Brick, NJ Thursday November 2, 2017. Tanya Breen

The Brick Memorial Dance Team performs during a surprise assembly where Maria DeBruin, an AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School, was awarded the Milken Educator Award at Brick Township Memorial High School in Brick, NJ Thursday November 2, 2017. Tanya Breen

A group of seniors hold up cards which reveal the amount of money Maria DeBruin, an AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School, will recieve along with the Milken Educator Award during a surprise assembly at Brick Township Memorial High School in Brick, NJ Thursday November 2, 2017. Tanya Breen

Maria DeBruin, an AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School, is congratulated by Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of Milken Educator Awards, after being awarded the Milken Educator Award during a surprise assembly at Brick Township Memorial High School in Brick, NJ Thursday November 2, 2017. Tanya Breen

Maria DeBruin, an AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School, reacts as she learns she was awarded the Milken Educator Award during a surprise assembly at Brick Township Memorial High School in Brick, NJ Thursday November 2, 2017. Tanya Breen

NJ Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno speaks with Bob Cartright, Lakewood, before a ‘Day of Prayer’ at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Toms River Sunday, October 29, 2017. The Lt. Governor and Governor Chris Christie were guest at the service that marked the fifth anniversary of superstorm. Thomas P. Costello

NJ Gov. Chris Christie prays with United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Bishop John Schol during a ‘Day of Prayer’ at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Toms River Sunday, October 29, 2017. The Governor’s appearance marks the fifth anniversary of superstorm. Thomas P. Costello

A fence surrounds an undeveloped area along Route 35 northbound in Brick Township Friday, October 27, 2017, that was the Camp Osborn neighborhood before Superstorm Sandy’s waves and fires wiped it away. Thomas P. Costello